June 15th North Carolina Coast Fishing Report: Offshore Blitz, Inshore Variety

Hey folks, Artificial Lure here with your June 15th Atlantic coast fishing report for North Carolina—your best friend on the water from Cape Lookout to Carolina Beach. We’re deep into June, and the conditions are looking prime for anglers wanting variety and action, both inshore and offshore.

First up, let’s talk tides. According to Surfline’s Oceanana Pier tide calendar, low tide hits early at 4:45am this morning, with a solid high tide rolling in at 10:45am. The afternoon low comes at 4:43pm, and the evening high at 10:58pm. That gives you a quality morning incoming tide bite, which pairs perfectly with sunrise around 5:53am and sunset tonight at 8:21pm. Early risers, you’re in luck—prime time for that dawn patrol bite.

Now for weather: we’ve had a spell of light winds and those typical warm June days. Water temps are rising, drawing baitfish closer to shore and making the fish frisky. It's classic North Carolina summer—pack the sunscreen, but bring a rain jacket just in case as June can surprise you with a pop-up shower or two.

Offshore, the bite is absolutely on fire. Fisherman’s Post reports excellent catches of grouper, triggerfish, and vermilion snapper on the bottom. The king mackerel are on the prowl, and this week mahi catches have been fantastic from Hatteras down through Carteret County. And don’t forget, the yellowfin tuna are still hot in the Outer Banks—boats are reporting “blitz” action with fast hookups and full boxes.

Closer to shore, keep a rod rigged for cobia—Cape Lookout and the inlets have seen steady action, especially around bait balls, rays, and turtles where cobia love to shadow. There’s also scattered Atlantic bonito lingering at local artificial reefs, especially around AR 315, 320, and 330. Big ones up to 7 pounds have been landed recently, and live bait is your best bet here.

Inshore, the red drum are getting active on the rising tide, especially along marsh grass and oyster rocks. Your best bet is fishing live menhaden, finger mullet, or shrimp under a popping cork or Carolina rig, but topwater plugs like a MirrOlure Top Dog Jr. are putting fish in the boat in low light. Flounder are thick on jigs and bucktails, though be mindful of season closures. Bluefish and Spanish mackerel are schooling—troll Clarkspoons behind planers or throw metal jigs when you see busting fish.

For surf anglers, the mixed bag is strong—pompano, whiting, bluefish, and even a few sharks are in the mix. Fish the morning incoming tide for best results.

A couple of hotspots to hit: try the Cape Lookout Bight for cobia and drum action, and the nearshore reefs—especially AR 320 off Atlantic Beach—for bonito, flounder, and gray trout. Down south, the Carolina Beach Inlet and adjacent grass lines are steady for reds and flounder.

That’s the scoop for today from your buddy Artificial Lure. Thanks for tuning in! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a bite. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.